Coeur d’Alene is a special community in North Idaho. We are blessed with natural beauty that most people can only dream about, plus a true, four-season climate that brings unique beauty no matter the season.
Whether you enjoy lakes or mountains in the great outdoors or world class amenities in a friendly indoor environment, Coeur d’Alene has a lot to offer you.
Even more than the outstanding beauty of the area, it is the people who have chosen to live here that makes Coeur d’Alene such a special place to be. It is their energy and vision that have created a quality of life that we who live here are proud to enjoy.
We invite you to share it with us either as a full-time resident or as a visitor.
The Facts about North Idaho
- Kootenai County Population: 144,265 (as of June 2014)
- Coeur d’Alene Elevation: 2,188′
- County: Kootenai County
- Idaho State Capitol: Boise
- Time Zone: Pacific
- Nearest Airport: Spokane International Airport (GEG)
- Sales Tax: 6.0%
- State of Idaho Elevation: 738′ of the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers to 12,655′ at Mt. Borah in Custer County
- State Area: 83,574 square miles
- State Capitol: Boise
- State tree: Western White Pine
- State gemstone: Star Garnet
- State bird: Mountain Bluebird
- State flower: Syringa
- Coeur d’Alene City founded: 1887
Distances in Miles to…
- Boise, Idaho: 378
- Canadian Border: 109
- Glacier National Park: 230
- Missoula, Montana: 167
- Moscow, Idaho: 87
- Portland, Oregon: 377
- Sandpoint, Idaho: 46
- Seattle, Washington: 312
- Spokane, Washington: 32
- Sun Valley, Idaho: 481
Climate and Weather Conditions
Kootenai County residents enjoy four distinct seasons throughout the year. The region receives an average annual rainfall of 25 inches and an average annual snowfall of 37 inches with approximately 174 sunny days. There are approximately 120 frost-free days in Kootenai County, with the last frost ending mid-May and the first beginning mid-September. Temperatures are slightly cooler overall north of the city of Coeur d’Alene, especially in the winter and spring months when the warming effects of Lake Coeur d’Alene are most pronounced. Late in the month of August, area grass fields are burned to stimulate crop production for the following year.
Coeur d’Alene North Idaho, Then and Now
Just as Coeur d’Alene Lake served as the traditional focus for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, it is the center of the Coeur d’Alene community today. The lake, during all seasons, remains the heart of our area.
Early French-speaking fur traders named Coeur d’Alene Lake. According to legend, the traders believed the local Indians to be sharp traders and called the lake Coeur d’Alene since their hearts were as sharp as an awl. In 1878 Fort Sherman was established and the city began to grow. Coeur d’Alene was incorporated in 1887 and continued to flourish. It’s a town with a rich background in lake steamers, fur trading, logging, and mining.
Until the early 1890’s, Coeur d’Alene served as the railroad / steamboat transfer point for transportation between the mines in the Silver Valley to the east and the smelters they fed. The area continued to prosper in the early 1900’s when a major timber boom caused the population to increase 16-fold in a period of 10 years. The city continued to expand from a small frontier village into the political and business center of Kootenai County and became the County seat in 1908.
Today, Coeur d’Alene remains the center of business and recreational activities in the Inland Northwest complete with festivals, fairs, concerts, unique bistros, and elegant restaurants, main street and mall shopping and much more. Its strong presence is found in state government and its increased economic development over the past several years is remarkable. Coeur d’Alene continues to grow and prosper in the new millennium.
About Post Falls
In 1870, German immigrant and founder, Frederick Post first claimed the Post Falls area as the site of a water powered lumber mill at the falls. He negotiated a treaty with Chief Andrew Seltice of the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe. They recorded this land cession on a prominent rock near the falls. This contract is preserved and exhibited, with authentic Native American pictographs, on a 4 acre site north of the Falls Park, which is listed on the National Historic Register.
Idaho’s River City has everything to make your family’s visit one to remember! Post falls offers waterfront activities on the Spokane River, fine dining, golf, and shopping are just a few things to do! North Idaho is also an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with hunting, fishing, hiking, and biking at your doorstep.
Surrounded by mountains in the heart of North Idaho’s recreational mecca is where you’ll find Post Falls. Right on I-90, Post Falls is the perfect getaway and gateway to your North Idaho adventure and well worth adding to your places-to-go list.
Post Falls, with a population of nearly 21,000 people in the city limits, is 2,150 ft above sea level surrounded by mountains and lush farmland. The town is located 5 miles from the Washington-Idaho border on I-90; it is 64 miles from the Idaho-Montana border, and 120 miles south of the Canadian border. Within a 35 mile radius of Post Falls are 30 golf courses, the North Idaho Centennial Trail, 3 state parks, 55 lakes and 4 major rivers. The city is only 25 minutes from downtown Spokane, 35 minutes from Spokane International Airport, and 10 minutes from downtown Coeur d’Alene.
Post Falls has four distinct seasons, with temperatures ranging in the 80’s mid-summer and low teens during the winter. The annual average amount of sunshine ranges from about 30% in the winter, but in July and August the average rises to the 80’s, as crystal clear days may linger well in fall for perfect golf and boating weather. The annual average relative humidity is 46%; average amount of rain is 29″, and an average of 49″ of snow.
About Hayden Lake
The communities of Hayden and Hayden Lake are located in the beautiful panhandle of North Idaho in Kootenai County, one of the fastest growing counties in Idaho.
Hayden Lake, with its crystal clear waters, sandy beaches and picturesque timber shores, is one of the most beautiful and popular lakes of Northern Idaho. Its irregular shape gives it about 40 miles of shoreline, with the main portion of the lake being seven miles long and one to two miles in width. Normal lake elevation is 2,239 ft. above sea level, and portions of it reach 800 ft. deep. The lake is surrounded on three sides by panoramic timbered mountains, which rise to an elevation of 4,500 to 6,000 ft. and extend for many miles to the east as part of the Bitterroot Mountain Range. Much of this land is the Coeur d’Alene National Forest, which offers excellent hunting, fishing and camping.
Hayden Lake has long been used and enjoyed by man. The first known inhabitants, beginning in April of 1846, were the Coeur d’Alene Indians who camped along the shoreline, lived on an abundance of berries and bulbs and fished its waters. As natural resources became scarce, the Indians moved on.
During 1878, Matt Heyden homesteaded the southwestern shore and developed an extensive farm including the first fruit orchard planted in the area. Heyden and a man named Hager were friends who often played cards together and this led to the naming of the lake. So the story goes, the two men had decided to name the lake and elected to let the winner of a game of “seven-up” select the name. Matt Heyden won and the lake became Heyden’s Lake. The spelling changed throughout time and it is now known as Hayden Lake.
At one time, as many as four steamboats served the logging and mining interests around the lake. Hunting and fishing were excellent and at the turn of the century, attracted many persons, including Presidents Taft and Teddy Roosevelt. Golf, tennis and all forms of water sports are included in the recreational opportunities offered at this beautiful setting. The area is often referred to as the Switzerland of America.
A house, with perhaps the most fascinating heritage of any in Idaho, is located 3.6 miles from Highway 95, on the south shore of Hayden Lake. This is the F. Lewis Clark Mansion, and the details of its past, still within hearsay, would make an absorbing novel. The Hayden lake villa, sometimes called Honeysuckle Lodge, was designed as a summer home for the Clarks and was finished in 1912. The 15,000 sq. ft. house boasted a multitude of rooms which took several years to complete and was the most expensive house in the state at that time. Today the home is being operated as a very elegant country inn, the Clark House of Hayden Lake. Among celebrities, Bing Crosby chose to build his summer home on the northwest shore of Hayden Lake in the 1950’s. Bing’s love for golf and fishing attracted him to the area.
Today the lake is an ideal setting for several hundred homes. Housing is good with a wide variety of homes for particular lifestyles. There are two public campgrounds available on beautiful Hayden Lake within a few miles of State Highway 95. Nearest is Sportsmen’s Park, at the north end of the lake and the other is Mokins Bay Campground, on the east side of the lake. Hayden Lake public beach, known locally as Honeysuckle Beach, is located at the southwest edge of the lake and is the only public beach, boat launching ramp and picnic area on the lake.
North Idaho Contacts
Chamber of Commerce:
Coeur d’Alene – 105 N 1st St #100 (www.cdachamber.com) (208) 664-3194
Dalton Gardens – 6360 4th St (www.daltongardens.govoffice.com) (208) 772-3698
Hayden/Hayden Lake – 157 W. Hayden Ave (www.haydenchamber.org) (208) 762-1185
Post Falls – 201 E 4th St (www.postfallschamber.com) (208) 773-5016
Rathdrum – 8184 Main St (www.rathdrumchamberofcommerce.com) (208) 687-2866
Spirit Lake – 6159 W Main St (www.spiritlakeid.gov) (208) 623-2131
Athol – 30355 Third St (208) 683-2101
Harrison – (www.cityofharrisonidaho.com) (208) 689-3212
Licenses:
Fish & Game- 2885 Kathleen Ave (208) 769-1414
Dept. of Motor Vehicles- 451 N Government Way, Cd’A (208) 446-1580
Dept. of Motor Vehicles- 120 E Railroad, Post Falls (208) 446-1590
Voter Registration- (208) 446-1030
Drivers/Boat Licenses- (208) 446-1340
Government Agencies:
Kootenai Assessor (208) 446-1500
Kootenai Building Department (208) 446-1040
Kootenai Planning Department (208) 446-1070Treasurer (208) 446-1000
Building Safety- 1250 W. Ironwood Dr., Ste #250 (208) 769-1579
Panhandle Health (208) 415-5100
Dept. of Lands- 3780 Industrial Ave (208) 769-1525
Environmental Quality- 2100 N. Ironwood Parkway (208) 769-1422
Air Quality (800) 633-6247
Forest Service- 3815 Schreiber Way (208) 765-7223
Fish & Game (208) 769-1414
Health & Welfare- 1120 W. Ironwood Dr (208) 769-1456
Parks & Recreation- 2750 Kathleen Ave (208) 769-1511
Social Security- 120 S. 6th St (208) 765-1322, (800) 772-1213
State Tax Commission (208) 769-1500, (800) 972-7660
Voter Registration- 315 Garden Ave (208) 446-1030
Waterways & Parks- 10905 N. Ramsey Rd (208) 446-1275
Humaine Society (208) 772-4019
Medical Facilities
Kootenai Medical Center (208) 666-2000
Kootenai Cancer Center (208) 666-3800
North Idaho Advanced Care (208) 262-2800
Northwest Specialty Hospital (208) 262-2300